FULSHEAR, TX

Getting Involved in the Preschool Learning Journey

The one age that parents fear the most is the Terrible Twos, and there’s good reason for it! The Terrible Twos are full of tantrums, difficult transitions, endless mischief and anything else your toddler’s brain can cook up.

However, that doesn’t mean this period is bound to be a year of torture for parents. Instead, this is the best time for you to get involved with your child’s development and learning.

Understand What’s Happening

The terrible twos are characterized by moodiness, impulsion, strong wants, anger, tantrums and even clinginess in toddlers. Before you can start altering your behavior and disciplining your child, you have to understand why they’re behaving the way they are.

Being a toddler is hard for your child, since they’re in a transition period. They’re learning that they need to be more independent than they have been but are also aware that they don’t have the ability to do most things on their own. That’s why frustration and other emotions can become so visceral for your two-year-old.

Let Them Express Emotions

Getting through the period of time that’s been titled the Terrible Twos (which sometimes extends into the Terrorizing Threes and Frightening Fours) requires effort on your part to be kind to your kids. They’re dealing with a lot of new behaviors and feelings, and they don’t know how to handle it.

Don’t try to shut down all the emotion they show whether it’s a tantrum or chaotically happy energy. Telling them that they need to be quiet and stop crying dismisses their feelings and stunts expression. If you really need to discourage tantrums and anger, simply ignore their behavior and do not look at them. Once they calm down you can address the actual issue.

Help Toddlers Communicate Better

Most of the time when toddlers are melting down it’s because they don’t know how to communicate or do what they want. External factors like exhaustion, hunger and boredom can exacerbate this. Think of it this way, when you feel upset you often check in with yourself to see if a snack or a good night’s sleep will make you feel better. Your toddler needs the same treatment.

The difference here is that they don’t know how to communicate it. When your toddler is in a space where they can actually talk to you instead of screaming or crying loudly, you can ask them what’s going on or what they’re feeling. At the same time, ask them if they’d like a nap, a snack or some down time — which can also distract them.

Give Them an Open Learning Environment

A persistent problem with behavior, routine and emotion could suggest the need for a change of pace and environment. If your toddler is at home all day, why not admit them into a preschool? Our montessori preschool in Katy, TX takes in young children starting at 3 months all the way to 6 years, with multiple learning programs tailored for each age group.

Our Cinco ranch childcare program can help provide a happy, nurturing environment where your toddler can indulge in activities that will help them grow emotionally and creatively.

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